How Providence Research Is Advancing Care Across the Inland Northwest

SPOKANE, Wash. — Research is at the core of advancing medical care. It helps us better understand how diseases progress, how treatments work, and how to improve care.  

Providence Medical Research Center is the only physician-led, comprehensive research center in the Inland Northwest. It supports clinical research from Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Providence Holy Family Hospital, Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital,  Providence Mount Carmel Hospital, and Providence St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center to more than 50 primary and specialty clinics across Eastern Washington. 

Providence reserach includes, but is not limited to, studies in kidney disease, cardiovascular care, cancer, diabetes, neuroscience, cystic fibrosis, and infectious diseases. 

That means patients near Spokane, and in rural areas like Stevens County, can access state-of-the art procedures and novel therapies close to home.  

“Everything we do in medicine today began as research,” said Dr. Radica Alicic, associate director of the Providence Medical Research Center. “Every medication, treatment and medical device started with someone asking a question and looking for a better answer.” 

For many patients, research also offers hope, especially when standard treatments are no longer enough. 

Providence is involved in variety of studies including the following: 

Chronic Kidney Disease Study Looks at Ways to Slow Kidney Damage 

Providence took part in the international EMPA KIDNEY study, which tested a treatment for people with chronic kidney disease, including those with and without diabetes. Another landmark trial, REMODEL shows how semaglutide protects the kidney and improves vascular health.  

These studies helped doctors learn new ways to treat kidney disease earlier. For some people in the study, the treatment helped slow kidney damage and lowered the chance they would need dialysis or a kidney transplant. 

Research supported in Spokane helped make these findings possible. It was recognized in a National Geographic article about advances in kidney disease treatment. 

Ovarian Cancer Study Evaluates a New Treatment Approach 

Providence takes part in cancer research studies for both children and adults, helping bring new research opportunities to patients in our region. 

Providence is participating in OVATION 3, a nationwide study testing a new treatment approach for women with advanced ovarian cancer. 

Researchers are studying whether adding a new treatment to standard care can help some patients. It could also help doctors learn which treatments work best for different people. 

One of the first patients in the country to join the study received treatment through Providence's gynecologic oncology team at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. 

Research Shapes Future of Childhood Cancer Treatment 

At Providence Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, researchers are helping improve care for children with cancer through studies offered by the Children's Oncology Group. These studies include children who are newly diagnosed and those whose cancer has returned.  The team also studies the long-term effects of cancer treatments to help children live healthier lives after cancer. 

A recent study involving Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer, found adding an immunotherapy to initial treatment improved long-term survival, reduced relapse risk, and helped avoid intensive treatments such as bone marrow transplants.  

The team is looking ahead to a new generation of ALL studies expected to open in late 2026. 

Cystic Fibrosis Research Focuses New Treatments 

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease impacting the lungs, digestive system, and other parts of the body. 

In 2019, Providence's Cystic Fibrosis Care Center joined the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Therapeutic Development Network, a national group that helps study new treatments for people with cystic fibrosis. 

The Providence team has been recognized for its ability to support clinical trials in the Inland Northwest and connect patients to care across the country. Since 2022, this work has helped establish Spokane as a hub for the Northwest Regional Cooperative. 

Studies Looking for New Treatments for Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes and Kidney Disease 

Reserach studies such as ZEUS and the upcoming AMBIENCE trial are exploring new therapies   across the cardiovascular, metabolic and kidney conditions.  These studies bring together experts across cardiology, nephrology, neurology, and primary care to better understand complex health conditions.  

New Study Examines How Primary Care Clinics Work Together 

Providence is preparing to participate in HOLISTIC, a study focusing on how we deliver more coordinated, connected care across primary care clinics throughout the Inland Northwest for high-risk patients with chronic kidney and heart disease.  

The study aims to improve the way care is delivered. Researchers plan to identify opportunities to improve coordination and communication between care teams and help implement guidelines directed therapies to support patients as they move through the healthcare system.  

Philanthropy’s Role in Clinic Research 

The Providence Inland Northwest Foundation has provided more than $15,000 to support clinical research and education opportunities. Philanthropic funding has also helped cover stipends for housing and travel costs for students and physicians to co-present at national conferences. It also covers publication fees that allow research findings to be shared with the boarded medical community.  

For Providence researchers, the goal is to continue asking important questions and contributing to medical knowledge that may benefit patients now and in the future. Philanthropic support helps make that work possible. 

Research participation is not appropriate for everyone. Eligibility for clinical research studies depends on factors such as a person's diagnosis, medical history, and the specific requirements of a study. Not every patient is a candidate for research participation, and patients should discuss any questions about research studies with their healthcare provider.